Method of and apparatus for manipulating rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry

ABSTRACT

Plain cigarettes or other rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry are finished and/or converted into filter cigarettes, and/or the envelopes of plain and/or filter cigarettes, cigarillos and/or filter mouthpieces are perforated and/or such rod-shaped articles are otherwise treated in or with an apparatus wherein at least one drum-shaped and/or at least one chain-shaped, endless belt-shaped and/or at least one other transfer conveyor receives articles from a maker, e.g., a plain or filter cigarette or cigarillo making machine. The transfer conveyor(s) delivers or deliver portions of or entire articles to one or more processing conveyors wherein or whereon the articles and/or their portions are treated (such as perforated, densified and/or otherwise manipulated) while in motion. The thus at least partly finished articles are returned onto the transfer conveyor(s).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

This application claims the priority of the commonly owned Europeanpatent application Serial No. 03 019 322.1 filed Aug. 27, 2003.

The disclosure of the above referenced European patent application, aswell as those of all US and foreign patents and/or patent applicationsidentified in the specification of the present application, areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in methods of and inapparatus for treating or manipulating rod-shaped articles, especiallyrod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry. Such articlesinclude, among others, plain or filter cigarettes, cigarillos andcigars, filter mouthpieces and other commodities wherein rod-likefillers of natural, reconstituted and/or other smokable materials and/orfilter material for tobacco smoke are to be subjected to any one or twoor more of a plurality of different treatments. The treatments caninclude uniting plain cigarettes or the like with filter mouthpieces(normally by so-called uniting bands of tipping paper), unitingdifferent types of filter material for tobacco smoke, changing thepermeability of tubular envelopes of cigarettes, cigars or cigarillosand/or filter mouthpieces, standardizing the diameters of cigarettes orthe like and/or any other undertakings which, as a rule, must be carriedout at a high or very high speed in order to be suitable for practice inor in conjunction with modern high-speed cigarette making and/oranalogous tobacco processing machines.

It is well known to treat or process plain or filter cigarettes, filtermouthpieces and other rod-shaped smokers' products in such a way thatthe products are supplied by a first conveyor (often referred to as atransfer conveyor) to a second conveyor (often called processingconveyor and adapted to include one or more rotary drums) whichmaintains the articles in motion while they undergo one or moretreatments (e.g., uniting plain cigarettes with filter mouthpieces toform filter cigarettes of unit length or multiple unit length). Forexample, European patent No. EP 0 432 663 B1 (corresponding to U.S. Pat.No. 5,179,965 granted Jan. 19, 1993 to Komori et al. for “APPARATUS FORFORMING MICRO-HOLES ON CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS”) discloses an apparatuswhich is designed to perforate the envelopes or wrappers of filtercigarettes. The filter cigarettes are supplied by a drum-shaped conveyorwhich delivers them to a first transfer drum. A portion of cigaretteswhich are advanced by the first transfer drum is delivered to a firstperforating drum which, in turn, delivers perforated cigarettes to afirst removing drum. The remaining cigarettes which are supplied by thefirst transfer drum are delivered onto a second transfer drum which, inturn, supplies such cigarettes to a second perforating drum. The latterdelivers perforated cigarettes to a second removing drum which, in turn,delivers such cigaretes to the first removing drum. The first removingdrum delivers perforated cigarettes to a so-called dilution drum. An“eliminator” system removes defective cigarettes from the dilution drum.

Another prior publication (WO 03/043449 A1 published May 30, 2003)discloses a filter tipping machine wherein a drum-shaped main conveyorcooperates with several additional drum-shaped conveyors. The mainconveyor supplies component parts of filter cigarettes, namely completerod-shaped plain cigarettes or fractions of such plain cigarettes,filter mouthpieces and finished filter cigarettes. A removing drum isemployed to shift fractions of plain cigarettes and filter mouthpiecesbetween them for the purpose of applying uniting bands consisting oftipping paper and serving to attach the filter mouthpieces to thecorresponding fractions of plain cigarettes. The filter cigarettes ofmultiple unit length are severed while away from the main conveyor, andthe thus obtained filter cigarettes of unit length are returned onto themain conveyor by a further drum-shaped conveyor.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An important object of the present invention is to improve theaforediscussed conventional apparatus and methods, particularly asconcerns the number of required drums and/or other conveyors. Thus, afirst conveyor can receive the components of rod-shaped smokers'products from a single additional conveyor, and such single additionalconveyor (e.g., a drum) can be utilized to remove assembled rod-shapedsmokers' products from the first conveyor. In conventional apparatus,the first conveyor must cooperate with a plurality of (such as four)additional conveyors with attendant increase of space requirements andof complexity of the means for supporting, rotating (or otherwisemoving) and servicing the additional conveyor or conveyors.

Another object of our invention is to distribute various rod-shapedcomponents and other parts of plain or filter cigarettes or the like ina novel and improved manner.

A further object of the invention is to enhance the versatility ofconveyors which are utilized to transport parts of or completerod-shaped smokers' products.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a method and anapparatus which render it possible to subject the constituents of and/orthe assembled rod-shaped smokers' products (e.g., filter cigarettes orcigarillos) to a number of different treatments, such as changing thepermeability of their tubular wrappers or tipping paper, theirappearance, their quality, their subdivision into rod-shaped products ofultimate length, the draping of uniting bands of tipping paper (a)around rod-shaped articles which contain tobacco and (b) around filtermouthpieces, the application of printed matter to cigarette paper and/ortipping paper and/or other treatments which, heretofore, necessitatedthe utilization of a large number of additional parts and/or additionalsteps.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of theabove outlined character which can be readily combined with or embodiedin existing cigarette making, filter mouthpiece making and/or analogousmachines.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus whichcan be utilized in modern high-speed cigarette making or analogousmachines without necessitating a reduction of the speed and/or thequality of the output of such machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One feature of the present invention resides in the provision of amethod of manipulating rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processingindustry. The method comprises the steps of supplying the articles by atleast one transfer conveyor along a predetermined path, transposing ortransferring articles from at least one portion of the predeterminedpath onto at least one processing conveyor, moving the transposedarticles by and simultaneously treating the moving articles on the atleast one processing conveyor, and returning the treated articles fromthe at least one processing conveyor onto the at least one transferconveyor.

The moving step can include transporting the articles along an endlesspath through an angular distance of at least about 360°.

At least one of the moving and treating steps can include rotating thearticles about their respective longitudinal axes through an angulardistance of at least about 360°.

Alternatively, the treating step can comprise at least one of severalundertakings including rolling the articles about their longitudinalaxes and changing the permeability of at least a portion of each article(such as its tubular wrapper) in the course of the moving step.

The method preferably includes manipulating a series of successiverod-shaped articles having predetermined diameters d, and the movingstep of such method can include advancing successive articles of theseries in a predetermined direction and at a mutual spacing of at least1 d, preferably at least 4d.

The number of processing conveyors can equal n, and each processingconveyor can be provided with a series of spaced-apart receptacles forrod-shaped articles. The transposing step of the method which can bepracticed by resorting to such processing conveyor(s) can includedelivering articles into each nth receptacle. The number n is preferablybetween one and four, and the returning step of the method which can bepracticed by resorting to such processing conveyor(s) can includedelivering treated articles into unoccupied receptacles of the transferconveyor(s). The treating step of the novel method which can bepracticed by resorting to one or more processing conveyors havingspaced-apart receptacles for rod-shaped products can include rollingeach article on the processing conveyor(s) through an uneven multiple ofthe spacing of receptacles on the processing conveyor(s).

If the articles have envelopes (e.g., envelopes made of tipping paperand/or cigarette paper), the treatting step can include rolling thearticles about their respective longitudinal axes and simultaneouslyperforating the envelopes of the rolling articles.

If the treated articles have a plurality of constituents includingelongated cores and envelopes which at least partially surround thecores, the treating step can include draping the envelopes around therespective cores. Such draping step can include rotating the coresaround their axes in the course of the draping step. Before performingthe treating step it is possible to provide the envelopes to the coresby performing a step of attaching the envelopes to the cores. Theattaching step can be carried out while the constituents of the articlesare contacted by at least one of the following: the transfer conveyor,at least one intermediate conveyor which is arranged to deliver articlesfrom the at least one transfer conveyor onto the at least one processingconveyor, the processing conveyor.

The transporting step can include conveying the articles from the atleast one transfer conveyor onto the at least one processing conveyor byway of at least one intermediate conveyor, and the returning step ofsuch method can include conveying the treated articles from the at leastone processing conveyor onto the at least one transfer conveyor by wayof the at least one intermediate conveyor.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of amethod of manipulating cigarettes and/or other rod-shaped articles ofthe tobacco processing industry. This method comprises the steps ofsupplying the articles by at least one transfer conveyor along a firstpath, transposing or transferring articles from the first path into atleast one second path which is defined by at least one processingconveyor, moving the articles along and simultaneously treating thearticles in the second path, and utilizing the processing conveyor totransport treated articles to the at last one transfer conveyor.

A further feature of our present invention resides in the provision ofan apparatus for manipulating rod-shaped articles of the tobaccoprocessing industry. The apparatus comprises at least one transferconveyor which is arranged to supply rod-shaped articles along apredetermined path, at least one processing conveyor which is arrangedto receive articles being supplied by the at least one transfer conveyorand to move the thus supplied articles along at least one second path,and means for treating the articles in the second path. The conveyorsare constructed and arranged to permit return of treated articles fromthe at least one second path back into the predetermined path.

The predetermined path can include a transfer portion where the articlesleave the transfer conveyor for entry into the at least one second pathwhich latter can constitute an endless path and include an evacuatingportion where the treated articles leave the processing conveyor. Thearticles which enter the second path at the transfer portion can bearranged to advance along the second path through an angular distance ofat least 360° prior to leaving the processing conveyor at the evacuatingportion of the second path. The at least one processing conveyor can beprovided with a series of spaced-apart neighboring receptacles (e.g., inthe form of flutes) for discrete articles, and the treating means cancomprise article rolling means which is adjacent the second path. Thereceptacles are arranged to advance the articles therein along therolling means through an uneven multiple of the spacing between a pairof neighboring receptacles. If the apparatus is arranged to manipulatearticles having variable-permeability portions, the treating means canfurther comprise at least one laser which is associated with the atleast one processing conveyor and is arranged to change the permeabilityof the variable-permeability portions of the articles. Such apparatuscan further comprise an article supplying conveyor which is arranged todeliver a series of untreated articles to selected receptacles of thetransfer conveyor. The selected receptacles can include successive nthreceptacles of the series, n being the number of transfer conveyors insuch apparatus.

The at least one processing conveyor can include receptacles for thearticles being supplied by the transfer conveyor and receptacles whichare arranged to receive treated articles from the predetermined path.

If the number of processing conveyors is at least two, the treatingmeans can include a laser which is arranged to emit a single beam ofradiation, means for splitting the single beam into discrete beams, andmeans for directing discrete beams upon portions of articles on the atleast two processing conveyors.

The apparatus can further comprise at least one intermediate conveyorwhich is arranged to transport untreated articles from the transferconveyor toward the processing conveyor as well as to transport treatedarticles from the second path toward the predetermined path.

An additional feature of the present invention resides in the provisionof an apparatus for manipulating rod-shaped articles of the tobaccoprocessing industry and comprising at least one transfer conveyorarranged to supply rod-shaped articles along a first path, at least oneprocessing conveyor which is arranged to receive articles from the atleast one transfer conveyor and to advance the thus received articlesalong a second path, and means for treating the advancing articles inthe second path. The at least one processing conveyor is constructed andarranged and associated with the at least one transfer conveyor toeffect at least partial delivery of treated articles from the secondpath into the first path. The at least one processing conveyor cancomprise two endless flexible conveyors which define an article rollingchannel, a first rotary conveyor having receptacles arranged to deliveruntreated articles from the at least one transfer conveyor into an inletof the rolling channel and second receptacles, a second rotary conveyorarranged to receive treated articles from an outlet of the rollingchannel, and a third rotary conveyor arranged to transport treatedarticles from the second rotary conveyor to the first rotary conveyor.The rolling channel can be arranged to effect a rolling of the articlestherein so as to ensure that the treated articles being advanced by thethird rotary conveyor enter the second receptacles of the first rotaryconveyor, and the first rotary conveyor can be arranged to delivertreated articles to the at least one transfer conveyor in one of aplurality of modes including (a) directly and (b) by way of at least oneadditional conveyor.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and themodes of assembling, adjusting and utilizing the same, together withnumerous additional important and advantageous features and attributesthereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detaileddescription of certain presently preferred specific embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic elevational view of an apparatus whichembodies a first form of the present invention and is provided withmeans for changing the permeability of tubular envelopes or wrappers ofrod-shaped smokers' products;

FIG. 2 is a similar fragmentary schematic elevational view of anapparatus constituting a modification of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic elevational view of an aparatusconstituting a second modification of the apparatus which is shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view of a fourth apparatus whereinrod-shaped articles constituting or forming part of smokers' productsare attached to each other by lengths of tipping paper;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic elevational view of a fifth apparatus;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a detail of the apparatus which is shownin FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of an additional apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows certain relevant constituents of an apparatus 1 formanipulating rod-shaped articles 2 each of which constitutes a filtercigarette, cigar or cigarillo (hereinafter called cigarette or filtercigarette) of double unit length. Each of the illustrated cigarettes 2is assumed to contain two axially spaced apart coaxial plain cigarettesof unit length, a rod-shaped filter mouthpiece of double unit lengthbetween the two plain cigarettes of unit length, and a tubular envelopeor wrapper which surrounds the entire filter mouthpiece of double unitlength as well as the adjacent end portions of the plain cigarettes. Theenvelope is normally made of so-called tipping paper which is halved inthe region midway across the filter mouthpiece of double unit lengthbefore the treatment of the article 2 is completed so that such articleyields two filter cigarettes of unit length.

Machines which can turn out articles 2 are disclosed for example, incommonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,008 granted Aug. 4, 1992 toOesterling et al. for “METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING FILTERCIGARETTES”.

A rotary drum-shaped conveyor 4 supplies cigarettes 2 from the maker(such as the aforementioned machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,008to Oesterling et al.) to a first rotary drum-shaped transfer conveyor12. The peripheral surface 10 of the conveyor 4 is driven to rotatecounterclockwise (arrow 6) about the axis 8 and has equidistant axiallyparallel peripheral receptacles in the form of flutes which deliversuccessive cigarettes of a continuous series of normally equidistantcigarettes into successive axially parallel receptacles or flutes 20 inthe cylindrical peripheral surface 18 of the conveyor 12. The latter isrotatable clockwise (see the arrow 16) about an axis 14 which isparallel to the axis 8 of the article supplying conveyor 4. Theperipheral surface 18 defines an arcuate path for the transport ofsuccessive articles 2 delivered by the supplying conveyor 4 into a(predetermined) path defined by the peripheral surface 18 of thetransfer conveyor 12. The reference character 44 denotes in FIG. 1 theperipheral surface of a cigarette 2; a portion of such peripheralsurface is received in the corresponding axially parallel peripheralflute in the cylindrical peripheral surface 10 of the article supplyingconveyor 4. The distances between neighboring flutes in the cylindricalperipheral surface 10 of the conveyor 4 (as seen in the direction of thearrow 6) equal or exceed 2 d (wherein d is the diameter of an article2). The peripheral speed of the surface 10 matches that of the surface18; this ensures predictable transfer of cigarettes 2 from the flutes ofthe article supplying conveyor into the oncoming flutes of the conveyor12. Such predictable transfer of articles 2 from the conveyor 4 onto theconveyor 12 is further ensured by proper selection of the distancebetween the axes 8 and 14. The mutual spacing of neighboring receptaclesor flutes 20 in the peripheral surface 18 of the transfer conveyor 12equals one-half the mutual spacing of neighboring flutes in theperipheral surface 10 of the article supplying conveyor 4; this ensuresthat each second flute 20 in the peripheral surface 18 remains emptywhen such flutes advance along and beyond the transfer station betweenthe conveyors 4 and 12.

The apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 further comprises a first drum-shaped rotaryarticle processing conveyor 22 which is driven counterclockwise (see thearrow 24) about its axis 26 and has a cylindrical peripheral surface 28.The axis 26 is parallel to the axes 8 and 14, and the distance betweenthe axes 14, 26 is selected with a view to ensure highly reliabletransfer of cigarettes 2 from the flutes 20 of the conveyor 12 into theperipheral receptacles or flutes 30 of the conveyor 22. The widths ofthe flutes 30 (as seen in the direction of the arrow 24) are selected insuch a way that the peripheral surface 44 of the article can roll insuch flute under the action of a rolling member 34 which constitutes orforms part of a means for treating the articles 2 during travel with theprocessing conveyor 22.

Each flute 32 is flanked at its trailing end (as seen in the directionof arrow 24) by an axially parallel projection 32 in the form of anelongated rib which abuts the peripheral surface 44 of the cigarette 2in the respective flute 30 when the rolling of such cigarette by themember 34 is completed. The distance between each pair of neighboringribs 32 is 4n wherein n is the spacing between neighboring flutes 30provided in the peripheral surface 28 of the processing conveyor 22. Thewidths of the flutes 30 (as seen in the direction of the arrow 24) areselected in such a way that the extent of rolling of an article 2 in itsflute 30 (again as seen in the direction of the arrow 24) matches threetimes the distance between the neighboring flutes 20 on the transferconveyor 12 of the apparatus 1 being illustrated in FIG. 1.

The rotating rolling member 34 has an external rolling surface 36 whichcomes in contact with the external surfaces 44 of successive articles 2.The speed of the surface 36 matches that of the peripheral surface 28 ofthe processing conveyor 22, and the axis of the rolling member 34 isparallel to that (26) of the conveyor 22. This rolling member is causedto rotate in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 1) and isprovided with suitable recesses, cutouts and/or windows for the passageof the beam or beams 40 issuing from a laser 38 (such beam or beams canalso reach the wrappers of the articles 2 in successive recesses orreceptacles 30 by traveling along the exterior of the suitablyconfigurated rolling member 34). The beam or beams 40 can impinge uponthe adjacent articles 2 in a direction radially of the peripheralsurface 28 of the treating or processing conveyor 22. At least one lens42 is provided to focus the beam(s) 40 upon selected portions ofexternal surfaces 44 of the tubular wrappers of successive cigarettes 2in order to change the permeability of such wrappers. The parts 34, 38can cooperate to provide the wrappers of the articles 2 with one or moreannuli of perforations of desired size and/or shape, depending upon thedesired or required permeability of the wrappers of the finishedsmokers' products. The articles 2 are in motion with the conveyor 22(about the axis 26) as well as clockwise relative to this conveyor (as aresult of rolling movement in the respective flutes).

The apparatus 1 further comprises a second treating or processingconveyor 52 which is adjacent the transfer conveyor 12 but is spacedapart from the first treating conveyor 12. The conveyor 52 is or can beidentical with the conveyor 22 and its parts are denoted by similarreference characters plus 30. For example, the conveyor 52 is arrangedto rotate about an axis 56 which is parallel to the axis 26 of theconveyor 22, the conveyor 52 has a cylindrical peripheral surface 58corresponding to the peripheral surface 28 of the conveyor 22, and soon. Analogously, the rolling member 64, the laser 68 and the lens 72(these parts are associated with the second treating conveyor 52)correspond to the aforedescribed parts 34, 38 and 42 which are means fortreating the articles 2 on the conveyor 22.

Still further, the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 comprises a rotary drum-shapedremoving conveyor 80 which is driven to rotate counterclockwise (see thearrow 82) about its axis 84 which is parallel to the axes 8, 14, 26 and56. The peripheral surface 86 of the removing conveyor 80 is providedwith axially parallel flutes for finished filter cigarettes 178 ofdouble unit length which are supplied by the transfer conveyor 12. Thelatter delivers some of the unfinished cigarettes 2 to the firsttreating or processing conveyor 22 at a first transfer station 31 andreceives finished (perforated) cigarettes 178 (see also FIG. 5) at areturning or evacuating station 33. Analogously, the transfer conveyor12 delivers untreated cigarettes 2 (which have bypassed the stations 31and 33) to a transfer station 61 where such untreated articles are takenover by the second treating or processing conveyor 52, and the latterdelivers finished (perforated) cigarettes 178 to the first transferconveyor 12 at a second evacuating or delivering station 63. Acollecting conveyor 80 which is driven to rotate counterclockwise (arrow82) about its axis 84 has axially parallel peripheral flutes forfinished cigarettes 178. Such flutes are provided in the peripheralsurface 86 of the removing conveyor 80.

The operation of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 is as follows:

The article supplying conveyor 4 delivers a series of equidistantparallel untreated cigarettes 2 from a suitable machine, e.g., thatdisclosed in the aforementioned commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,008to Oesterling et al. The cigarettes advance in the direction of arrow 6and are supplied into the flutes 20 of the first transfer conveyor 12which is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow 16. The spacingbetween neighboring cigarettes 2 on the conveyor 4 is at least 2 dwherein d is the diameter of a cigarette. Since the spacing ofneighboring flutes 20 in the peripheral surface 18 of the first transferconveyor 12 equals d, the conveyor 4 delivers untreated cigarettes 2into each second flute 20.

The conveyor 12 delivers each second article 2 into successive rollingflutes 30 in the peripheral surface 28 of the first treating orprocessing conveyor 22. The reason for such transfer of articles fromthe conveyor 12 onto the conveyor 22 is that the spacing betweenneighboring flutes 30 equals four times the spacing between neighboringflutes 20 on the transfer conveyor 12.

Successive articles 2 advance with the conveyor 22 and are caused toroll in the respective flutes 30 when they reach the peripheral surface36 of the rolling member 34. Each article 2 is caused to roll rearwardly(i.e., counter to the direction indicated by the arrow 24) and suchrolling movement is terminated when an article reaches the respectiveprojection or rib 32 at the trailing end of the corresponding flute 30.The cylindrical wrappers of the articles 2 in the respective recesses 30in the peripheral surface 28 of the processing conveyor 22 areperforated by the laser beam 40 or by the split portions of the beam 40while such articles rotate with and roll relative to the conveyor 22.The beam 40 is or can constitute a pulsating laser beam so that it canprovide the wrappers of successive articles on the conveyor 22 with adesired pattern of perforations. The arrangement is or can be such thateach article 2 performs at least one full revolution about itslongitudinal axis while its external surface 44 rolls in thecorresponding flute 30 of the conveyor 22.

The freshly perforated articles 178 on the conveyor 22 (i.e., thosewhich have advanced beyond the rolling member 34) are shown as beingdarker than the articles with unperforated wrappers; such illustrationis being resorted to for convenient distinguishment between treated anduntreated articles. Each article 2 which has undergone a perforatingtreatment at the rolling member 34 remains in its flute 30 while thetreating conveyor 22 rotates through slightly more than 360° and sucharticle is then transferred (at 33) back onto the first transferconveyor 12. The locus where an untreated article 2 leaves the conveyor12 for transfer onto the first treating of processing conveyor 22 isshown at 31. It will be seen that, in the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, anarticle 2 which is being treated while advancing with the conveyor 22remains on this conveyor (from 33 to 31 while advancing in the directionof the arrow 24) through an angle of slightly more than 360°. It is alsopossible to select the position 31 in such a way that it coincides withthe position 33. Each article 178 (perforated filter cigarette of doubleunit length) which returns onto the conveyor 12 is angularly offset(rearwardly) through a distance which equals that between the flutes 20in the peripheral surface 18 of the conveyor 2.

The conveyor 12 transports each freshly obtained finished (treated)article 178 in a clockwise direction (arrow 16) toward and beyond thesecond treating or processing conveyor 52. In other words, the oncetreated and finished articles 178 bypass the conveyor 52 and aretransferred onto the removing conveyor 80 which rotates counterclockwise(arrow 82) about its axis 84 (which is parallel to the axes 8, 14, 26and 56). The peripheral surface 86 of the drum-shaped removing conveyor80 can be identical with the cylindrical peripheral surface 10 of thearticle supplying conveyor 4. The finished articles 178 can be halved onthe conveyor 80 (so that each thereof yields two filter cigarettes ofunit length) and/or otherwise treated (e.g., imprinted with thetrade-mark of the manufacturer and/or provided with other printedmatter, rolled once more or more than once to obtain a desired optimumdiameter prior to delivery to storage or into a packing machine (notshown). It goes without saying that the distance between the axes 14 and84 is selected with a view to ensure unimpeded transfer of finishedarticles 178 from the first transfer conveyor 12 onto the removingconveyor 80, even if the improved apparatus is installed in a modernhigh-speed filter cigarette making and processing machine.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of an apparatus 90 (for use in a filtercigarette making and processing machine) which distinguishes from theapparatus 1 of FIG. 1 only or primarily in that the two perforatingunits 34-43 and 64-72 of FIG. 1 are replaced with a modified perforatingapparatus including a single laser 92 arranged to furnish two laserbeams 40 and 70. The beam 40 is manipulated by or cooperates with arolling member 34 having a rolling surface 36 and serving to perforatethe tubular wrappers (of tipping paper and/or cigarette paper) on therod-shaped articles 2 constituting filter cigarettes which travel withand roll relative to the peripheral surface 28 of the first drum-shapedtreating or processing (perforating) conveyor 22. The second laser beam70, also furnished by the laser 92, is utilized to peforate the tubularwrappers of articles 2 on the second drum-shaped rotary perforatingconveyor 52. The conventional beam divider which splits the beam issuingfrom the laser 92 into the beams 40, 70 is not shown in FIG. 2.

The manner in which the rod-shaped articles 2, 178 are attracted to theperipheral surfaces of various drum-shaped and/or other conveyors, andin which such articles are caused or permitted to move from a precedingrotary and/or otherwise movable conveyor (e.g., normally by suction andby resorting to jets of compressed air) is well known in the art ofmaking and manipulating plain and/or filter cigarettes, cigars,cigarillos, filter rod sections, cigarette, cigar or cigarillo rods andanalogous commodities and, therefore, is not specifically shown in thedrawing. Reference may be had, for example, to FIG. 2 of theaforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,965 to Komori et al. Furthermore,identical reference characters employed in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the presentapplication, as well as in FIGS. 3 through 7, denote identical orplainly analogous parts and, therefore, will be described in detailagain only to the extent which is necessary for a full understanding ofvarious embodiments of the instant invention as well as for a fullunderstanding of differences between various embodiments of theinvention.

As already mentioned hereinbefore, the transfer station 31 forunfinished articles 2 between the conveyors 12 and 22 in the apparatus 1of FIG. 1 is or can be identical (i.e., it can coincide) with thetransfer station 33 for delivery of finished articles 178 from theconveyor 22 back to the conveyor 22. This ensures that the perforated(treated) articles 178 coming from the conveyor 22 and returning ontothe conveyor 12 are offset by a distance corresponding to that betweenthree neighboring grooves 20 of the conveyor 12 relative to sucharticles before they leave the conveyor 12.

The conveyors 12 and 52 cooperate in such a way that all treatedarticles 178 which have been delivered to the conveyor 12 by the firsttreating or processing conveyor 22 are not accepted by the conveyor 52.The latter accepts only those (untreated) articles 2 which have advancedfrom the supplying conveyor 4, which have been transferred from theconveyor 4 onto the first transfer conveyor 12, which have bypassed (at31, 33) the conveyor 22 on their way with the conveyor 12 from theconveyor 22, past the stations 31, 33 and to the transfer station 61between the conveyor 12 and the second treating or processing conveyor52. The latter is driven to rotate counterclockwise (arrow 54) towardand cooperates with the peripheral surface 66 of the rotating rollingmember 64 so that the external surfaces 44 of the theretofore untreatedarticles 2 roll between the surfaces 60 and 62 until the freshly treatedarticles 178 reach the projections 62 at the corresponding flutes 60.This takes place downstream of the peripheral surface 66 of the rotatingrolling member 64, i.e., downstream of the region where the laserbeam(s) has or have completed the perforating action so that thepermeability of the wrappers of articles 2 abutting the respectiveprojections 62 has reached the desired optimum value.

The articles 178 which were treated on the conveyor 22 remain on thefirst transfer conveyor 12 and advance therewith past the stations 61,63 toward and onto the removing conveyor 80. They are joined (on theconveyor 12 downstream of the stations 61, 63 (which can coincide witheach other) by the freshly treated articles 178 which have beenperforated by the laser beam(s) 70) and are accepted by the flutedremoving conveyor 80. The distribution of flutes in the peripheralsurface 86 of the removing conveyor 80 is preferably identical with thatof the flutes in the cylindrical peripheral surface 10 of the articlesupplying conveyor 4.

An important advantage of the apparatus 1 and 90, as well as of themethods which can be practiced by resorting to such apparatus, is that asingle transfer conveyor (such as 12) suffices to receive untreatedarticles 2, to transport untreated articles to at least one treating orprocessing conveyor (such as 22 and/or 55) and to receive (at 31 and/or33 and/or at 61 and/or 63) freshly treated articles (such as 178) fortransport to one or more next processing stations. This entailssubstantial savings, especially as concerns the number of conveyors; forexample, the apparatus of FIG. 1 can reliably guarantee the dispensingwith up to four conveyors. One feature of the invention resides in therecognition that the transfer conveyor (such as 12), which canconstitute a relatively simple drum, need not be fully occupied, i.e.,that it can comprise empty flutes or analogous receptacles (e.g.,including those between the conveyors 80 and 4). The empty flutes canserve to receive finished or partly finished articles from the treatingor processing conveyor(s).

Another important advantage of the improved method and apparatus is thatthe articles can travel along arcuate paths (between the locations 31,33) of at least 360° on their way from a transfer conveyor (such as theconveyor 12) and back to the transfer conveyor. This ensures that thearticles which necessitate a treatment can undergo one or more necessarytreatments (e.g., enhancing or improving the (cylindrical) shape of thearticles as a result of simultaneous rolling contact with the surfaces28 and 36 and improving the permeability of the tubular wrappers ofplain cigarettes and/or the permeability of tubular tipping paperwrappers which bond the plain cigarettes to the filter mouthpiece(s)between them).

FIG. 3 shows certain details of a simplified third apparatus 100 with asingle rotary drum-shaped treating or processing conveyor 22. Save forthe absence of the second treating conveyor 52 and the associatedperforating (treating) parts 64, 68, 72, the apparatus 100 is identicalwith the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 and its parts are denoted by similarreference characters.

The operation of the apparatus which is shown in FIG. 3 is as follows:

The article supplying conveyor 4 cooperates with a further articlesupplying conveyor (not shown, e.g., a conveyor of a filter cigarettemaking machine) in such a way that only each second flute in theperipheral surface 44 of the conveyor 4 receives an article 2.Consequently, and due to different distribution of flutes in theperipheral surface 10 of the conveyor 4 and flutes 20 in the peripheralsurface 18 of the transfer conveyor 12, only each fourth flute 20receives an article 2 from the conveyor 4. This ensures that all of thearticles 2 supplied by the conveyor 4 can be treated (perforated) on asingle treating or processing conveyor (22). In other words, the secondtreating conveyor 52 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, as well as thesecond perforating assembly including the laser 68 and the rollingmember 64, can be omitted.

It will be seen that, by the simple expedient of properly selecting thenumber of treating or processing conveyors, one can conform the improvedapparatus to the output of the machine which delivers partly finishedrod-shaped articles and to achieve savings in equipment (such ascommodities including those shown at 64, 68 in FIG. 1) which is requiredto treat the partly finished rod-shaped articles.

The apparatus 1 or 100 can be further modified (simplified) by omitingthe first treating or processing conveyor 22 if the treatment ofarticles does not involve a change of permeability of tubular envelopesof the articles. In such simplified apparatus, the articles are simplytransported by the conveyor 12 from the supplying conveyor 4 to theremoving conveyor 80. This also constitutes an important improvementover the state of prior art because, in conventional apparatus which areset up to perforate the envelopes or wrappers, all parts which areneeded to carry out the perforating step(s) are present even if theperforating of certain series or types or groups of rod-shaped articlesis not desirable or required. The presence of certain conveyors and/ortools or implements which are needed only to carry out one or more typesof treatment not needed in connection with the making of all cigarettesor other articles of the tobacco processing industry normally orinvariably reduces the output of the machinery and contributes, at leasttemporarily, to unnecessary space requirements of the machine. Theapparatus of the present invention can be constructed to avoid oftensubstantial space requirements of its parts, to reduce the numbers ofsuch parts, and to minimize the amount of maintenance work.

It is often desirable and advantageous to provide the improved apparatuswith a transfer conveyor which is associated with several processing ortreating conveyors. For example, if the transfer conveyor is providedwith an even number of receptacles (such as flutes), each secondreceptacle can be arranged to receive an article and such articles canbe alternatively supplied to two identical drum-shaped processingconveyors which are adjacent to each other. Reference may be had, forexample, to the apparatus of FIG. 1 wherein the transfer conveyor 12 has72 flutes and cooperates with two processing conveyors 22, 52.

If the improved apparatus comprises a single treating or processingconveyor (such as the conveyor 22 in the apparatus 100 of FIG. 3), thearrangement can be such that only each fourth receptacle of the transferconveyor receives an article or a set of coaxial articles and thespacing between neighboring receptacles is at least one-third of thecircumference of a receptacle. This ensures that the (treated) articlesarriving from the single processing conveyor (22) back onto the transferconveyor (12) are spaced apart from each other by a distance (as seen inthe direction of advancement of the articles) which matches or exceedsthe circumferential length of an article. A preferred arrangement isthat wherein the distance is four thirds of the circumference of anarticle; this ensures that the article which is to be perforated istreated all the way around its periphery. Reference may be had to theaforediscussed flutes 30 in the peripheral surface 28 of the processingconveyor 22 in the apparatus 100 of FIG. 3.

The exact manner in which the conveyors of the improved apparatus canrotate and/or otherwise move relative to each other (in order to ensurepredictable transfer of rod-shaped articles between such conveyors) iswell known from the art of filter cigarette making and analogous tobaccoor tobacco filter material processing machines. This applies, forexample, for the selection of rotational speeds of various conveyors,such as the transfer conveyor 12 and the processing conveyor 22 in theapparatus 100 of FIG. 3. In other words, the diameters of suchconveyors, the spacings between their flutes and their rotational speedsmust be related to each other with a view to ensure highly predictabletransfer of untreated rod-shaped articles from the conveyor 12 intoempty flutes of the conveyor 22, as well as equally predictable transferof finished articles from the conveyor 22 into empty flutes of theconveyor 12. Presently preferred transfer and treating conveyors (suchas 12 and 22) can include drums having receptacles in the form of fluteswhich are provided in their peripheral surfaces, and such receptaclescan be spaced apart from each other (in the direction of travel of thearticles) by distances which equal or exceed one-third of thecircumferential length of an article.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a fourth apparatus 104 for the processingof cigarettes or the like (not shown). This apparatus is especiallysuited for the branching off of various treatments of cigarettes or thelike. The median portion of FIG. 4 shows a substantially horizontal(production) line or chain 106 of rotary drums or other suitableconveyors for rod-shaped articles in a filter tipping machine. Twoprocessing branches 108, 110 extend from the chain 106 substantiallyvertically downwardly, and each such branch is equipped with means forprocessing the articles. The characters 112, 114 denote branches whichserve to supply filter rod sections substantially vertically downwardlyfor assembly with the plain cigarettes. The maker of the filtercigarettes can select the branches 108, 110 and/or the branches 112, 114which are to be put to use in order to make selected types and/orquantities of plain and/or filter cigarettes.

In the apparatus 104 of FIG. 4, the branches 108 and 110 serve toprovide groups of coaxial rod-shaped articles (such as of coaxial plaincigarettes with a coaxial filter mouthpiece or filter rod of double unitlength between them) with tubular envelopes consisting of tipping paperor the like. The filter mouthpieces which are supplied at 148 arefurnished by the branch 112. The branch 114 supplies filter mouthpieceswhich are united with pairs of coaxial plain cigarettes in the branch110. The various conveyors of the apparatus 104 are designed and drivenand cooperate with each other in a manner which is customary in filtercigarette making machines.

In order to provide the branches 108, 110 with requisite quantities ofplain cigarettes and filter mouthpieces, the linear chain 106 ofconveyors respectively receives such rod-shaped products from a supplybranch 116 (filter mouthpieces) and a supply branch 118 (plaincigarettes). The branch 116 supplies articles to the branch 108, and thebranch 118 supplies articles to the branch 110. It is clear that thejust described sequences of delivery of rod-shaped articles can bereversed, and it is also possible to omit or disconnect (deactivate) thebranch 116 or 118 without necessitating a full stoppage of the chain106. It is presently preferred to design the chain 106 in such a waythat each of the branches 108, 110, 116 and 118 can be operatedindependently of the other branch(es), e.g. each of such branches can beturned on or off without necessitating complete stoppage of the otherbranch(es).

It is equally within the purview of the invention to deliver filtermouthpieces at one or more locations other than the branch(es) 112and/or 114, namely at any suitable location or locations disposed aheadof the station or locus where the filter mouthpieces are to be coupledto single plain cigarettes or to pairs of plain cigarettes by unitingbands made of tipping paper or the like.

One presently preferred mode of assembling and operating the apparatus104 of FIG. 4 is as follows: The major part of the illustrated chain 106includes a substantially linear array of successive drum-shapedconveyors 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 and 136, i.e., thearticles advance from the conveyor 120, through the conveyors 122-134and to the conveyor 136. Finished filter cigarettes leave the apparatus104 at the conveyor 136 in the direction indicated by the arrow 138.Such finished articles can be taken over in a customary way by aremoving conveyor corresponding to the conveyor 80 in the apparatus 1 ofFIG. 1. Each finished filter cigarete of double unit length is halved toyield a pair of filter cigarettes of unit length. Such cigarettes can befed into an apparatus (e.g., of the type shown in FIG. 3) wherein thetubular wrappers of the filter cigarettes are perforated with one ormore laser beams or in another suitable manner. The pairs of coaxialperforated filter cigarettes are thereupon moved axially and away fromeach other prior to undergoing a so-called head test and, if necessary,one or more additional tests which are customary in connection with themaking and processing of filter cigarettes.

The first drum-shaped conveyor 120 of the chain 106 receives plaincigarettes from the branches 116 and 118. The branch 116 includes theconveyor 140 which receives plain cigarettes from a machine (not shown)serving to turn out a row of pairs of plain cigarettes from a machinewhich is designed to turn out a single row of plain cigarettes or from amachine which furnishes a row of pairs of coaxial plain cigarettes. Amachine which is designed to turn out pairs of cigarettes obtained fromtwo simultaneously produced cigarette rods is disclosed, for example, incommonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,419 granted Jun. 30, 1992 to Heitmannfor “METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING PLURAL TOBACCO STREAMS”.

The conveyor 140 of the chain 106 delivers plain cigarettes of doubleunit length to a severing drum 142 which cooperates with a knife 144 todivide each plain cigarette of double unit length into two plaincigarettes of unit length. The severing drum 142 delivers pairs of plaincigarettes of unit length onto a spreading drum 146 which moves thecigarettes of each pair axially and away from each other in order toprovide between them room for filter mouthpieces of double unit length.

The conveyors 140 a, 142 a, 146 a and the knife 144 a of the branch 118operate in the same way as the aforedescribed parts 140, 142, 146 and144, i.e., they also furnish to the drum-shaped transfer conveyor 120pairs of axially spaced apart plain cigarettes of unit length. Thus, theconveyor 120 receives and transports two families or groups of pairs ofspaced-apart coaxial plain cigarettes, namely those obtained from theconveyors 146 and 146a. To this end, the conveyor 120 is provided withsuitable receptacles in the form of flutes which are provided in itsperipheral surface and are parallel to its axis. The pairs of articlesreceived from the conveyors 146, 146 a are transferred by the conveyor120 onto the conveyor 122 of the chain 106. It will be seen that theconveyor 122 can be said to serve as a distributor which supplies pairsof coaxial articles (coming from the drum 140) to the branch 108 of theapparatus 104 of FIG. 4. The pairs of coaxial articles which thedistributor conveyor 122 receives from the conveyor 140 a aretransferred onto a further (e.g., drum-shaped) conveyor 124 to beprocessed in that portion of the apparatus 104 which includes the branch110.

The conveyor 124 performs the additional function of assembling pairs ofplain cigarettes of unit length coming from the conveyor 122 withdiscrete filter rod sections of unit length which are supplied by thedrum-shaped conveyor 148 of the branch 112 in the apparatus 104. Theconveyor 148 can receive filter mouthpieces from one or more additionalconveyors (not shown), or directly from a filter rod making machine,e.g., a machine disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,007granted Aug. 10, 1976 to Greve for “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THEPRODUCTION OF FILTER ROD SECTIONS OR THE LIKE”.

The conveyor 124 advances filter rod sections of double unit lengthwhich are obtained from the filter rod section supplying drum 148 andeach of which enters (on the conveyor 122) a gap between two coaxialplain cigarettes of unit length (supplied by the conveyor 120) in aflute of the conveyor 124. An intermediate transfer conveyor 150 of thebranch 108 receives from the conveyor 122 successive arrays of threecoaxial rod-shaped articles, namely two spaced apart plain cigarettes ofunit length and a filter mouthpiece of double unit length between them.The branch 108 further comprises a drum-shaped conveyor 152 whichreceives successive arrays from the conveyor 150 and delivers sucharrays to the flutes of a drum-shaped conveyor 160 analogous to one ofthe treating or processing conveyors 22, 52 in the apparatus of FIG. 1.The conveyor 152 cooperates with a uniting band attaching drum-shapedconveyor 158 which cooperates with a rotary severing drum 156 carryingan annular array of knives which subdivide a continuous uniting band 154into discrete uniting bands of a length sufficient for conversion intocylindrical enevelopes. The conveyor 152 cooperates with the conveyor158 in such a way that each successive array of two plain cigarettes ofunit length and a filter rod section of double unit length between themreceives a uniting band in a position to adhere to the entire filter rodsection of double unit length and to the adjacent (inner) end portionsof the respective plain cigarettes of unit length. Such arrays aretransferred onto the conveyor 160 which cooperates with the concavesurface of a rolling or wrapping member 162 to convert each array andthe respective uniting band of double unit length into a filtercigarette of double unit length. It will be appreciated that one side ofthe continuous uniting band 154 or each discrete uniting band on theconveyor 152 is coated with a film of adhesive not later than when therespective array reaches the rolling gap between the parts 160, 162 ofthe branch 108.

When the rolling of an array on the conveyor 160 is completed, the thusobtained filter cigarette of double unit length is received in an emptyflute of the conveyor 160 (or in an empty portion of such flute) fortransfer back into an empty flute of the conveyor 152 and thence backinto an empty flute of the conveyor 150.

The function of the conveyor 130 is analogous to that of the transferconveyor 122, i.e., it receives finished filter cigarettes of doubleunit length from the conveyor 150 a for delivery to a removing conveyor132 which delivers such articles to the conveyor 134. The lattersupplies the thus received commodities to the conveyor 136 whichdelivers them to one or more additional stations (in the direction ofarrow 138), e.g., to one or more imprinting stations, to a packingstation or to a magazine, not shown.

The transfer conveyor 130 further serves to receive rod-shaped articlesin a manner analogous to that already described with reference to thetransfer conveyor 122, namely from a filter rod sections supplyingconveyor 161 by way of the conveyor 132. The conveyor 161 forms part ofthe second filter mouthpiece supplying branch 114. The flutes of theconveyor 130 receive pairs of axially spaced apart coaxial plaincigarettes from the conveyors 124, 126, 128 and filter rod sections ofdouble unit length from the conveyor 161 via conveyor 132. Such arraysof pairs of plain cigarettes of unit length and a filter mouthpiece ofdouble unit length between them are transferred from the conveyor 130 tothe conveyor 150a which is a functional equivalent of the aforedescribedconveyor 150.

The conveyors 152 a and 160 a respectively cooperate with the conveyor158 a and rolling member 162 a. The conveyor 158 a cooperates with thesevering drum 156 a to deliver uniting bands (obtained as a result ofsevering of a second endless web 154 a of tipping paper) to the arraysof three rod-shaped articles each on the conveyor 152 a. The finishedfilter cigarettes of double unit length which are obtained or formed inthe arcuate rolling gap between the parts 160 a, 162 a are transportedonto the conveyor 130 (by way of the parts 160 a, 152 a, 150 a) and aremerged with the finished filter cigaretttes of double unit length whichare delivered to the conveyor 130 by the conveyor 128. The two groups offilter cigarettes of double unit length are taken over by the conveyor132 and are transported in the direction of the arrow 138 via conveyors132, 134 and 136.

FIG. 5 shows in greater detail and drawn to a larger scale a portion ofthe apparatus 104 of FIG. 4 and certain additional features, especiallythose embodied in or associated with the branches 108, 112 and 116 ofthe apparatus 104. The conveyor 146 of the branch 116 has axiallyparallel peripheral flutes, and each third flute supplies a compositearticle 166 consisting of two axially spaced apart plain cigarettes ofunit length into each third flute on the conveyor 120. Each such group166 is illustrated as a circle with a horizontal diameter. The circles168 with inclined diameters denote articles furnished to the conveyor120 from the conveyor 146 a of the branch 118.

The conveyor 146 of FIG. 5 carries an article 166 in each third flute.The same holds true for the articles 168 (in each third flute of theconveyor 146 a). The arcuate arrows denote in FIG. 5 the directions ofrotation of the conveyors 146, 146 a and others. The conveyors 146 and146 a deliver the respective articles 166, 168 into the flutes of theconveyor 120. The purpose of the conveyors 146, 146 a is to move thecomponents of the respective articles 166 and 168 axially and away fromeach other, and the conveyor 120 delivers the articles 166, 168 into theflutes of the conveyor 122. The latter delivers the articles 168 comingfrom the branch 118 directly to the drum-shaped removing conveyor 124.As already described with reference to FIG. 4, the conveyor 122 deliversthe articles to the conveyor 126 by way of the conveyor 124 and thenceto the conveyor 150 a of the processing branch 110 by way of theconveyors 128, 130.

The twin articles 166 which are furnished by the supplying branch 116advance toward and onto the conveyor 150 by way of the conveyors 120,122 and are assembled with filter mouthpieces 170 of double unit lengthwhile advancing with the conveyor 122. The filter mouthpieces 170 aresupplied by the branch 112. The thus obtained groups 172 (eachcontaining two plain cigarettes 168 of unit length and a filtermouthpiece 170 of double unit length between them) are shown in FIG. 5in the form of circles with a pair of diagonals which are normal to eachother.

The groups 172 are transferred from the conveyor 150 onto the conveyor152 which advances past the drum 158 to receive tipping papers 174 ofpredetermined length, and such tipping papers are convoluted around therespective groups 172 in the gap between the conveyor 160 and therolling implement 162 to form finished filter cigarettes 178 of doubleunit length. Such finished articles 178 are denoted by filled circles.

The source of continuous (endless) web 154 of tipping paper is not shownin FIGS. 4 and 5. The same applies for the means for moving the rollingimplement 162 which can be operated to move in the direction of arrow176 shown in FIG. 5. This arrow indicates that, while a uniting band 174is being rolled around the article 172 moving in the arcuate passagebetween the parts 160, 162, the article 172 moves rearwardly (i.e.,counter to the direction of rotation of the conveyor 160).

The thus obtained finished filter cigarette 178 of double unit lengthmoves toward and onto the conveyor 124 by way of the conveyors 152, 150and 122, and thereupon advances in a direction to the left, as viewed inFIG. 5, namely onto the conveyor 126 (shown in FIG. 5 merely as anarrow) and thence onto the conveyors 128, 130, 132, 134 and 136 (asshown in and as already described with reference to FIG. 4). Such modeof operation is possible because the conveyors 124, 126, etc. have emptyflutes for the products 178 as well as additional flutes for otherproducts including components received from the branches 110 and 114shown in FIG. 4.

The apparatus 106 of FIGS. 4 and 5 can be modified in a number ofadditional ways without departing from the spirit of our invention. Forexample, the dotted circle 150 a′ shown at the top of FIG. 5 indicatesthat the branch 110 of FIG. 4 can be arranged to deliver finishedarticles 178 directly into empty flutes of the drum-shaped conveyor 122.FIG. 5 further shows a dotted-line circle 150 a′ which denotes that thebranch 110 can be arranged to deliver finished rod-shaped articles 178directly to the conveyor 152; this renders it possible to dispense withthe conveyors 126, 128 and 130. The drum 160′ could serve to receive anddeliver filter cigarettes 168 of double unit length with attendantsavings in space and parts; this applies for each of the two embodimentsemploying the parts 150′, 150″.

In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the inventionwhich resembles or is identical with that of FIGS. 4 to 6, the transferconveyor (such as the conveyor 122 shown in FIG. 5) has an even number(e.g., 32) of peripheral flutes which are equidistant from each other asseen in the circumferential direction of the conveyor. The associatedarticle processing conveyor (such as the conveyor 160 of FIG. 5) alsocomprises an even number (e.g., 18) of axially parallel equidistantperipheral flutes. The flutes on the processing conveyor 160 arearranged in such a way that the articles (such as 172, 178) which arereceived therein are compelled to roll along the concave surface of thestationary rolling member 162 through an uneven multiple of the lengthof circumference of an article (as measured in the direction oftransport of articles in the rolling gap). The uneven multiple canamount to not less than one-third of the circumference of an article.This ensures that the finished articles 178 enter unoccupied flutes ofthe transfer conveyor (122) which delivers such articles into thereceptacles (e.g., flutes) of a further conveyor (such as thedrum-shaped removing conveyor 124 of FIG. 5).

It is often preferred and advisable to select the spacing between thearticles (such as 178 in FIG. 5) which leave the article treating orprocessing conveyor (such as the conveyor 160 of FIG. 5) in such a waythat their mutual spacing equals or exceeds the circumference of anarticle. This ensures that each such article can invariably rotate (onthe processing conveyor 160) about its axis through an angle of at leastabout 360° which, in turn, guarantees predictable changes ofpermeability (as a result of perforation) all the way around the axis ofthe article. It has been ascertained that a rotation of artices throughfour thirds (360°+120°) of the circumference of an article is highlysatisfactory for predictable changes of permeability of rod-shapedarticles 178 on the article treating or processing conveyor 160 of FIG.5.

FIG. 6 shows a portion of the branch 108 in the apparatus or unit 104 ofFIGS. 4 and 5 but drawn to a still larger scale. The characters 172again denote pairs of coaxial filter cigarettes of unit length anddiscrete filter mouthpieces of double unit length which are advanced bythe conveyors 150, 152 and 160 into the arcuate rolling gap between theconveyor 160 and the rolling member 162, and finished filter cigarettes178 of double unit length which advance from the aforementioned rollinggap along the left-hand portion of the conveyor 160, along the conveyor152 and onto the conveyor 150 which latter delivers the finishedarticles to the conveyor 122 (see FIG. 5). The directions in which thegroups 172 and finished cigarettes 178 are transferred betweenneighboring conveyors are indicated by non-referenced arrows.

FIG. 7 illustrates a portion (branch 108) of a further apparatus whereinthe stationary rolling member 162 of FIGS. 4 to 6 is replaced with arolling member employing two endless conveyor belts 188, 196. Thefinished filter cigarettes of double unit length are shown 178 and thegroups of coaxial plain cigarettes with a filter rod section betweenthem are shown at 172. The structure of FIG. 7 can be utilized in theapparatus of FIGS. 4 to 6 as a substitute for the branch 108.

The endless conveyor belts 188, 196 include spaced-apart straightportions which define a straight rolling channel 180 for the conversionof groups 172 into finished rod-shaped aticles 178. The belt 196 istrained over two pulleys 192, 194, and the belt 188 is trained overdrums 182, 184 and a driven pulley 190 between such drums. A drum-shapedconveyor 186 serves to transport successive finished articles 178 fromthe drum-shaped conveyor 184 onto the drum 182 whence the finishedarticles 178 are transferred onto the conveyor 152 for transport ontothe drum-shaped conveyor 122 via conveyor 150. Portions of the belt 188are recessed into peripheral grooves which are provided in the drums182, 184, 186.

The speed of the belt 196 departs from that of the belt 188 so that thearticles 172 are compelled to advance in the rolling channel 180 and tosimultaneously roll about their axes. This causes the uniting bands 174(delivered onto the articles 172 during travel with the conveyor 152) toroll about the filter mouthpieces of double unit length as well asaround the adjacent end portions of the respective plain cigarettes ofunit length; the rolling operation is completed not later than when thearticles of successive groups 172 reach the discharge end or outlet ofthe channel 180.

The conveyor 182 serves to transfer successive groups 172 of rod-shapedarticles from the conveyor 152 directly into the inlet of the rollingchannel 180. The purpose of the conveyor 184 is to accept finishedfilter cigarettes 178 of double unit length from the discharge end oroutlet of the channel 180. The conveyor 184 transfers the finishedfilter cigarettes 178 onto the conveyor 186, and the latter advancessuch finished articles to the conveyor 122 via conveyors 182, 152 and150.

The endless conveyor belts 188, 196 cooperate (in the same way as theconveyor 160 and stationary rolling member 162 of FIG. 6) to deceleratethe groups 172 in the rolling channel 180 so that the groups 172 rollalong the adjacent stretches of the belts 188, 196 and ensurepredictable winding of the uniting bands 174, i.e., the conversion ofsuch uniting bands into cylindrical envelopes which connect the filterrod sections 170 (see FIG. 5) to the respective pairs of plaincigarettes. Moreover, such deceleration of groups 172 in the rollingchannel 180 ensures that the finished articles leaving the rollingchannel 180 enter empty flutes of the conveyor 184 which, in turn,ensures predictable transfer of finished articles 178 into empty flutesof the conveyors 186, 183, 152, 150 and 122. It will be seen that theapparatus of FIG. 7 also embodies conveyor means (such as the conveyor182) which can deliver unfinished commodities 172 to a treating station(rolling channel 180) and which can also deliver treated commodities 178from such treating station.

Certain details of the structure which is shown in FIG. 7 areillustrated and described in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/1,095,466 (publication No. US-2002-0129 823 A1).

An important advantage of the feature that the articles to be treatedare rotated about their own axes through angles of at least 360° is thatthis ensures predictable conversion of various components of filtercigarettes into finished articles exhibiting optimum characteristics asfar as their appearance and/or other parameters are concerned. Thisinvolves the permeability of articles which are treated in the apparatusof FIGS. 1 to 3 and the draping of uniting bands in the apparatus ofFIGS. 4 to 7. It is clear that the distance between a conveyor (e.g.,160) and the associated rolling member (e.g., 162), or between theconfronting parallel stretches of the belts (188, 199) must be selectedwith a view to ensure a highly predictable rolling of the articles inthe arcuate or straight rolling gap. The same applies for thestretchability of the belts 188 and 199.

It will be appreciated that the treatment which involves perforation oftubular cigarette paper or tipping paper (in a manner as carried out inthe apparatus 1, 90 and 100 of FIGS. 1 to 3) can be performedindependently of or jointly or practically simultaneously with at leastone other treatment, such as the application of uniting bands (e.g.,174) in the apparatus 104 of FIGS. 4 to 7. Furthermore, an apparatus forsimultaneous or successive plural treatments of rod-shaped smokers'products can employ common components; for example, a single transferconveyor can be utilized to deliver untreated articles to s firstprocessing conveyor (such as the conveyor 122) which delivers partlyprocessed articles to a second processing conveyor (such as 22) which,in turn, returns twice treated articles onto the transfer conveyor.Still further, it is possible to employ a single prcessing conveyorwhich rolls uniting bands about sets of coaxial articles and thereafter(or simultaneously) cooperates with a laser or the like to perforate thewrappers of articles on the single processing conveyor.

Regardless of the exact nature of treatment of filter cigarettes or thelike, it is always of advantage to withdraw the articles from their pathfrom the transfer conveyor(s) to the outlet of the apparatus for thepurpose of carrying out one or more treatments, e.g., in a manner asshown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and/or in a manner as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. Thisrenders it possible to convert conventional apparatus into apparatusembodying the present invention because it is merely necessary toprovide one or more processing conveyors which is or are coupled to oneor more (transfer) conveyors of conventional apparatus to permit one ormore treatments of rod-shaped articles prior to their return onto thetransfer conveyor(s).

The improved method and apparatus exhibit the additional advantage thatthey reduce the need for lengthy stoppages of an entire machine whichembodies one or more improved apparatus. For example, if the machinedevelops a defect in one or more attachments (such as 108 and/or 110 inthe apparatus of FIG. 4), the defective attachment(s) can be arrested,temporarily disconnected from the major part of the machine, repaired,reattached to the major part of the machine and restarted while themajor part of the machine continues to turn out acceptable articles. Itis to be borne in mind that certain treatments are not critical foracceptability of the ultimate products. Furthermore, the machine can befurnished with one or more spare perforating, wrapping and/or otherapparatus which can be put to use as substitutes for defectiveapparatus. All that counts is to ensure that each processing unit (suchas the units 108, 110 in the apparatus 104 of FIG. 4 or the unitsincluding the processing conveyors 22, 52 in the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1)can be coupled with the respective transfer conveyor or conveyors insuch a way that the finished or partly finished articles can be returnedonto the respective transfer unit(s).

It is to be borne in mind that a transfer conveyor, or at least one oftwo or more transfer conveyors, can include one or more discreteconveyors without departing from the spirit of the present invention.For example, the conveyors 140, 142, 146, 120, 122, 150 and 152 in theapparatus 104 of FIG. 4 can be said to constitute a composite transferconveyor which applies filter cigarettes of double unit length to thearticle processing cnveyor 160, and the latter supplies finished orpartly treated articles to that part of the composite transfer conveyorwhich includes the discrete conveyors 152, 150 and 122.

In the just described part of the apparatus 104, the conveyors 150, 152can be interpreted as a composite intermediate conveyor which serves todeliver untreated or partially treated (at 118) articles to theprocessing conveyor 160 of the treating unit 108, and which serves totransport partially treated or fully treated articles from theprocessing conveyor 160 back to the transfer conveyor 22. For example,the utilization of one or more intermediate conveyors is advisable ornecessary if the processing conveyor (such as 160 shown in FIG. 4) or atleast two or more processing conveyors should or must be installed at acertain (e.g., substantial) distance from the nearest transfer conveyor.

Still further, and referring for example again to FIG. 7, it is oftenadvisable to employ one or more intermediate conveyors in order toassemble one or more parts of a composite rod-shaped article with one ormore additional parts before the thus obtained composite rod-shapedarticles undergo one or more treatments at the processing station. Thus,the intermediate conveyor 158 of FIG. 7 serves to supply discreteuniting bands 174 to the intermediate conveyor 152 which, in turn,causes the rod-shaped articles to change their orientation prior toreaching the inlet of the rolling channel 180 where a particulartreatment (rolling of the uniting bands 174 around the respectiverod-shaped articles 172) is completed before the intermediate conveyors182, 152 return (jointly with the conveyors 184, 186 and 150) thetreated articles 178 onto the transfer conveyor 122.

It will be appreciated that the just described apparatus of FIG. 7 canbe modified still further in a number of different ways. For example,the uniting bands 176 can be coupled to the rod-shaped components 172 ofthe ultimate articles 178 on the conveyor 122 or on the conveyor 182. Insuch apparatus, the intermediate conveyors 150, 152 can be omitted orthey can serve solely as a means for transporting assembled or partiallyassembled articles between the transfer (conveyor 122) and the treating(belts 188, 196) stations.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic and specific aspects of the aboveoutlined contribution to the art of manipulating rod-shaped articles ofthe tobacco processing industry and, therefore, such adaptations shouldand are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range ofequivalence of the appended claims.

1. A method of manipulating rod-shaped articles of the tobaccoprocessing industry, comprising the steps of: supplying the articles byat least one transfer conveyor along a predetermined path; transposingarticles from at least one portion of said path onto at least oneprocessing conveyor; moving the transposed articles by andsimultaneously treating the moving articles on the at least oneprocessing conveyor; and returning the treated articles from the atleast one processing conveyor onto the at least one transfer conveyor.2. The method of claim 1, wherein said moving step includes transportingthe articles along an endless path through an angular distance of atleast about 360°.
 3. The method of claim 1 of manipulating rod-shapedarticles having longitudinal axes, wherein at least one of said movingand treating steps includes rotating the articles about their respectiveaxes through an angular distance of at least about 360°.
 4. The methodof claim 1 of manipulating rod-shaped articles having longitudinal axes,wherein said treating step comprises at least one of the undertakingsincluding rolling the articles and changing the permeability of at leasta portion of each article in the course of said moving step.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 of manipulating a series of successive rod-shapedarticles having predetermined diameters d, wherein said moving stepincludes advancing successive articles of the series in a predetermineddirection and at a mutual spacing of at least 1 d, preferably at least 4d.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of processing conveyorsequals n and each processing conveyor has a series of spaced-apartreceptacles for rod-shaped articles, said transposing step includingdelivering articles into each nth receptacle.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein n is between one and four.
 8. The method of claim 6, whereinsaid returning step includes delivering treated articles into unoccupiedreceptacles of the at least one transfer conveyor.
 9. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the articles have longitudinal axes and said treatingstep includes rolling each article on the processing conveyor through anuneven multiple of the spacing of receptacles on such processingconveyor.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the articles have envelopesand longitudinal axes, said treating step including rolling the articlesabout their respective axes and simultaneously perforating the envelopesof the rolling articles.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatedarticles have a plurality of constituents including elongated coreshaving longitudinal axes and envelopes at least partially surroundingthe cores, said treating step including draping the envelopes around therespective cores by rotating the cores about their respective axes. 12.The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of attaching theenvelopes to the cores before said treating step.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein said attaching step is carried out while theconstituents of the articles are contacted by at least one of thefollowing: the transfer conveyor, at least one intermediate conveyorarranged to deliver articles from the at least one transfer conveyoronto the at least one processing conveyor, the processing conveyor. 14.The method of claim 1, wherein said transporting step includes conveyingthe articles from the at least one transfer conveyor onto the at leastone processing conveyor by way of at least one intermediate conveyor,said returning step including conveying the treated articles from the atleast one processing conveyor onto the at least one transfer conveyor byway of the at least one intermediate conveyor.
 15. Apparatus formanipulating rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry,comprising: at least one transfer conveyor arranged to supply rod-shapedarticles along a predetermined path; at least one processing conveyorarranged to receive articles being supplied by said at least onetransfer conveyor and to move the thus supplied articles along at leastone second path; and means for treating the articles in said secondpath, said conveyors being constructed and arranged to permit return oftreated articles from said at least one second path into saidpredetermined path.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein saidpredetermined path includes a transfer portion where the articles leavesaid transfer conveyor for entry into said at least one second path,said second path being an endless path and including an evacuatingportion where the treated articles leave said processing conveyor, thearticles entering said second path at said transfer portion beingarraned to advance along said second path through an angular distance ofat least 360° prior to leaving said processing conveyor at saidevacuating portion of said second path.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein said at least one processing conveyor has a series ofspaced-apart neighboring receptacles for discrete articles, saidtreating means comprising article rolling means adjacent said secondpath and said receptacles being arranged to advance the articles thereinalong said rolling means through an uneven multiple of the spacingbetween a pair of neighboring receptacles.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17for manipulating articles having variable-permeability portions whereinsaid treating means further comprises at least one laser associated withsaid at least one processing conveyor and arranged to change thepermeability of said variable-permeability portions of the articles. 19.The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an article supplyingconveyor arranged to deliver a series of untreated articles to selectedreceptacles of said transfer conveyor, said selected receptaclesincluding successive nth receptacles of said series and n being thenumber of transfer conveyors in the apparatus.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein said at least one processing conveyor includesreceptacles containing articles being supplied by said transfer conveyorand receptacles arranged to receive treated articles from saidpredetermined path.
 21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the number ofprocessing conveyors is at least two, said treating means including alaser arranged to emit a single beam of radiation, means for splittingsaid single beam into discrete beams and means for directing discretebeams upon portions of articles on said at least two processingconveyors.
 22. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising at leastone intermediate conveyor arranged to transport untreated articles fromsaid transfer conveyor toward said processing conveyor as well as totransport treated articles from said second path toward saidpredetermined path.
 23. A method of manipulating rod-shaped articles ofthe tobacco processing industry, comprising the steps of: supplying thearticles from at least one source by at least one transfer conveyoralong a first path; transposing articles from the first path into atleast one second path defined by at least one processing conveyor;moving the articles along and simultaneously treating the articles insaid second path; and utilizing the processing conveyor to transporttreated articles to the at least one transfer conveyor.
 24. Apparatusfor manipulating rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry,comprising: at least one transfer conveyor arranged to supply rod-shapedarticles along a first path; at least one processing conveyor arrangedto receive articles from said at least one transfer conveyor and toadvance the received articles along a second path; and means fortreating the advancing articles in said second path, said at least oneprocessing conveyor being constructed and arranged and associated withsaid at least one transfer conveyor to effect at least partial deliveryof treated articles from said second path into said first path.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 24, wherein said at least one processing conveyorcomprises two endless flexible conveyors defining an article rollingchannel, a first rotary conveyor having first receptacles arranged todeliver untreated articles from said at least one transfer conveyor intoan inlet of said rolling channel and second receptacles, a second rotaryconveyor arranged to receive treated articles from an outlet of saidrolling channel and a third rotary conveyor arranged to transporttreated articles from said second rotary conveyor to said first rotaryconveyor, said rolling channel beng arranged to effect a rolling of thearticles therein so as to ensure that the treated articles beingadvanced by said third rotary conveyor enter the second receptacles ofsaid first rotary conveyor, said first rotary conveyor being arranged todeliver treated articles to said at least one transfer conveyor in oneof a plurality of modes including (a) directly and (b) by way of atleast one additional conveyor.